Protests at home of man facing sexual charges
A MAN charged with child sex offences has issued an online statement after his home was targeted by angry protestors.
The man appeared in court earlier this month, where he pleaded not guilty to accusations of sex offences against children.
He claims that his family have been attacked and is now believed to have moved in with a relative after a group of protestors descended on his home in Prestonpans last week.
A large group of neighbours have been gathering every night to protest at the man’s presence in their community and two women were arrested during a disturbance outside the home last Tuesday.
Police have also launched an investigation after windows of the property were smashed in the early hours of the morning last week.
A local source said: “Rumours have been swirling round the community about this guy for weeks now and last week some folk decided to start a protest to get him out.
“The locals in the area have now all got behind the protest and more and more people have been attending outside the home as the nights go on.
“We believe he has been in court and denied the allegations but that hasn’t stopped the animosity towards him and his family, who are really well known in the area.
“Police have also been attending to monitor the protests, especially after a disturbance took place in the street last Tuesday and two women were arrested and charged.
“The mood of the local community is getting worse and it was no surprise to hear his house has been attacked.
“We have heard he has moved in with a relative after his windows got put in.”
The man took to social media last week to protest his innocence and to claim his family were being targeted by the local community.
He said: “Not been on here [Facebook] for over a month as been told not to do so but I feel this situation is now untenable with people targeting my family.
“I am innocent of these vile lies and I am sure once the qualified people, the police and the lawyers, get to work the (sic) will find the truth and expose these accusations made against me for lies that they are.
“I will fight this with everything I’ve got and leave no stone unturned.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, March 19, two women aged 30 and 53 were arrested and charged following a disturbance in Prestonpans. They were given recorded police warnings.
“Enquiries are continuing into incidents of vandalism at an address in Prestonpans, that took place between Sunday, March 17, and Thursday, March 21.”
We believe he has been in court and denied the allegations but that hasn’t stopped the animosity towards him and his family